The
Precedent-Setting Vote In Albany Resolution (Preceded By
Press Release)

09 April 2010

By El-Hajj Mauri' Saalakhan

In the name of ALLAH, The Beneficent, The Merciful

Good evening ladies and gentlemen. My name is Mauri’
Saalakhan. I serve as director of operations for a
grassroots human rights advocacy organization known as
The Peace And Justice Foundation, based in
Metropolitan Washington, DC. I am here in support of
the Resolution before you now.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said the
following many years ago: “The ultimate measure of a
man [or woman] is not where he stands in moments of
comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times
of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will
risk his position, his prestige, and even his life for
the welfare of others. In dangerous valleys and
hazardous pathways he will lift some bruised and
beaten brother to a higher and more noble life.”

There is an old saying, “Blessed are those who forge
first, to lead the way for others.” The concerned
citizens who have packed this chamber tonight are an
example of the “true neighbor.” You [the Council] are
the other part of tonight’s equation, with the
potential to be the same.

As this evening’s session opened with the Pledge of
Allegiance, I was reminded of the Constitutional
Convention of 1789, when one of the “founding
fathers,” Benjamin Franklin, was asked at the
convention’s conclusion (by one of the reporters of
the time): “What have you wrought?” Franklin’s
response was: “A Republic, if you can keep it!”

The business before you this evening represents a
continuation of that ever present challenge, passed on
from one generation to the next - i.e. the ongoing
quest for the establishment of a “Republic,”
predicated on “liberty and justice for all.” (Still an
illusive dream.)

I am also reminded of the words of two prominent
figures of history. The first is one of the classical
scholars from the Islamic tradition. Sheikh ibn
Taymeeyah wrote many generations ago: “Civilization is
based on justice, and the consequences of oppression
is devastating. Therefore it is said, ALLAH aids the
just state even if it is non-Muslim; yet withholds his
help from the oppressive state, even if it is Muslim.”

And then we have the words of American founding
father, Thomas Jefferson, who wrote (and this can be
found on the wall of his monument in Washington, DC):
“I tremble for my country when I reflect: God is Just;
His justice cannot sleep forever.”

In my work I have traveled throughout a large part of
America, and I have witnessed, up close and personal,
the profound and ever expanding trauma produced by the
so-called ‘war on terrorism.’ I have seen the
“collateral damage” done to mothers and fathers, wives
and children, entire families and communities, when
innocents are targeted for preemptive operations.

You have an opportunity with your vote on tonight’s
Resolution, to help move this potentially great, but
deeply disturbed nation called America, from where it
is, to where it’s supposed to be.

Thank you for listening.

This is a brief summary of the five minute address I
delivered last night to the Albany Common Council in
Albany, New York (drawn from an outline I put together
minuets before I was called upon to share a few
thoughts).

I was privileged to be a witness for - and to make a
minor contribution to - a truly precedent-setting vote
undertaken by the city council of New York State’s
capitol city at about 10:40 last night.

The most powerful highlight of the proceedings were
the FAMILIES who were present (representing a number
of tragic cases) who provided sometimes emotional
victim impact statements to the Council. Local
activists and concerned citizens (the majority
non-Muslim) supported the families with their own
statements urging passage of the Resolution.

The day’s initiative began with a short rally at the
Armory, followed by a roughly 15 minute march to
Albany's City Hall. The Council’s proceedings began
about 7PM to a packed chamber. A number of people had
to sit outside in the hall and listen to the
proceedings over a speaker. The Resolution in question
is titled:

RESOLUTION URGING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO
REVIEW THE CONVICTION OF MUSLIMS WHO WERE
"PREEMPTIVELY PROSECUTED," TO ENSURE THEIR FAIR
TREATMENT UNDER THE U.S. CONSTITUTION AND BILL OF
RIGHTS

Al-hamdullilah! After a little drama necessitating a
five minute recess in the proceedings (and a slight
re-working of some of the language contained in the
Resolution), the Resolution passed by a vote of 10
voting “Yes” and 4 voting “Present.”

To my
knowledge, this is the first Resolution of this nature
passed by a government jurisdiction anywhere in the
nation! (Blessed are those who forge first to lead
the way for others.)

A
special note of thanks is due the Muslim Solidarity
Committee & Project SALAM. Honorable
mention is also accorded to Prof. Shamshad
Ahmad, for being an “immigrant Muslim” who is
not afraid to stand up for his brothers, their
families, and his community; and so doing,
demonstrating what true faith-based leadership
is all about!